What are the drivers of regional disparity, what are its impacts, and what can the government do about it? As part of our ‘Policy in Focus’ series, Dr Dave McRae discusses these issues and more with Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro in a special episode of Talking Indonesia.

In the first post in our new Policy in Focus series, Dr Ward Berenschot presents research looking at how common clientelism really is in Indonesia. A survey of more than 500 experts found that perceptions of clientelism varied considerably, and the character of local economies played an important role.

Images of a woman pleading with officials as they confiscated food she was selling went viral over the weekend. Netizens were furious and donated almost $27,000 in support of the woman. Ihsan Ali-Fauzi writes that the case is a chance for the central government to send a strong message to local governments that it is serious, and able, to act against intolerance and discrimination.